Tag Archives: Julie Garwood

TBRG Top 2011 Contemporary Reads

Posted on December 27, 2011 by TBRG| 6 Comments

It’s that time of year again when we break down the books we’ve read. Here at The Book Reading Gals we break it down into the different genres and then have a top reads of the year. Today we have our top 5 contemporary reads of the year. If we reviewed the book we are linking to it, if not then we are linking to the authors page about the book.

Heather’s top 5

  1. Serendipity by Carly Phillips
  2. Head over Heels by Jill Shalvis
  3. A lot like Love by Julie James
  4. The Ideal Man by Julie Garwood
  5. With no Remorse by Cindy Gerard

Melanie’s top 5

  1. Until There Was You by Kristan Higgins
  2. Serendipity by Carly Phillips
  3. The Welcome Home Garden Club by Lori Wilde
  4. Animal Magnetism by Jill Shalvis
  5. Only Mine by Susan Mallory

Janon’s top 5

  1. Beautiful Disaster by Jamie McGuire
  2. Until There Was You by Kristan Higgins
  3. Animal Magnetism by Jill Shalvis
  4. Bring me Home for Christmas Robyn Carr
  5. Bad Boys Do by Victoria Dahl

As you can see we tend to read and love the same books. Tune in tomorrow to see who made our top historical reads.

Posted in fun

Tagged , , , , , , , , , , ,

The Ideal Man

Posted on July 27, 2011 by TBRG| 3 Comments

Title: The Ideal Man

Series: FBI bk

Author: Julie Garwood

Genre: Romantic Suspense

Dr. Ellie Sullivan has just completed her residency at a large urban hospital. While jogging in a park nearby, she witnesses the shooting of an FBI agent in pursuit of wanted criminals, a couple identified as the Landrys. The only person to see the shooter’s face, Ellie is suddenly at the center of a criminal investigation. 

Agent Max Daniels takes over the Landry case. A no-nonsense lawman, he’s definitely not the ideal man that Ellie has always imagined, yet she’s attracted to him in a way she can’t explain. 

Ellie heads home to Winston Falls, South Carolina, to attend her sister’s wedding. Shortly after she arrives, though, she receives a surprise visitor: Max Daniels. The Landrys have been captured, and she’ll be called to testify. But they’ve been captured before, and each time the witnesses are scared into silence-or disappear before they can take the stand. Max vows to be Ellie’s shadow until the trial, and it isn’t long before sparks fly.

When Julie first started writing a contemporary series I wasn’t’ sure how I was going to like it, as I absolutely loved her historical. However after several books in this series (most of the characters being descendants of those beloved historical characters) I have to say that I love these just as much as her historical.

Ellie is a prodigy doctor (not quite Doogie Howser) and has lived in terror since she was eleven because of a crazy stalker. So when she witnesses an FBI agent get shot it doesn’t really phase her danger that she could be from the bad guys. For her the real danger is Max the FBI agent that comes to take her statement and that for some reason has decided that he needs to protect her.

When it looks like she isn’t in any danger she heads home for her sister’s wedding, and away from Max and the feelings that he invokes in her. Little does she know that her life is about to turned upside down yet again. For one thing she absolutely doesn’t want to be in her sister’s wedding and in fact can’t stand her sister (have to say I can’t blame, I didn’t like her either). Then Max shows up and while in some aspects it get better in others it gets worse.

Max is one of those heroes that you want to take home with you at the end of the day. When he first meets Ellie he can’t get past her legs, then he reads her background and gets mad and wants to protect her, then he goes to her hometown instead of Hawaii to protect her from the bad guys and gets entangled in her family.

One of the things that I loved about Max is his story (no I am not going to share you have to discover it on your own) and Ellie’s reaction to his family is priceless. I especially loved how Max talks on the phone to his brothers.

When I think about this book what comes to mind is that this book has everything that I as an avid reader of romance want. A plot that moves along great that adds to the characters. Great characters that had this instantaneous attraction to each other that bordered on the edge of bafflement for both of them.

I do have to say that while I enjoyed the whole book the last half of the book was my favorite.

If you are a fan of Julie’s then you won’t want to miss this book, and if you haven’t yet discovered the awesomeness that is Julie Garwood well then this is a great place to start.

Grade A

Other Books in this Series

Heartbreaker

Mercy

Killjoy

Murder List

Slow Burn

Shadow Dance

Fire and Ice

Sizzle

Posted in Review

Tagged , , ,

Julie Garwood interview part 1

Posted on July 25, 2011 by TBRG| Leave a comment

Last month I was able to do something on my bucket list I was able to talk on the phone with one the authors that I look up to the most Ms. Julie Garwood. I had such a fun time talking to her. We talked about Vegas and shopping here. How much I have enjoyed reading her books over the years and so much more. Unfortunately I can’t put everything we talked about here, but there is a lot of good stuff, so I am breaking this up into two posts. So get your beverage of choice and sit back and enjoy my interview with Julie..

I called her from work and that started the conversation off…

J: Where is 702?

H: Vegas

J: I love Vegas, I take my sister there. I put her in front of a slot machine and I shop.

H: We do have some great shopping here.

H: One of my favorite bookstores is in Crystals

J: I didn’t see a bookstore there.

H: It is by Wolfgang Pucks…it is one of those stores where my kids have to stand outside and not touch anything. They always ask to go somewhere else as it is boring

J: How old are you kids?

H: They will be 11 this summer?

J: Twins?

H: Yes, we are going into the pre-teen ages.

J: I’m so sorry…I laugh whenever I have a friend that says they are starting to act weird.

H: I am hoping that they discover girls soon, so that they will start giving me their laudry and bathing, so that I don’t have to spray febreeze on them when we leave the house.

J: I totally understand.

H: mom’s of boys get it..moms of girls not so much.

We talked kids and sports for awhile and it was great to get the perspective of a mom with grown kids.

H: I have to tell you I was so nervous to talk to you.

J: How come?

H: You read my fan letter on the website..

J: Not only did I read it, I printed it out and thought on days when I wondered how am I going to fix this, or do this I am just going to whip this letter out. It is very sweet

H: Thank you so much..So you can imagine how many years I have been reading you. I think the very first book of yours that I picked up of yours was the The Gift and it had just come out. I have been through they years. I have two authors really well I have four but I met two last year, that are on my life bucket list to talk to, you and Nora Roberts. In fact I was talking to a friend of mine today about how nervous I was and she told me that if she ever met Steven King she would pass out, I said if I ever meet him I would pass out to as he scares the crap out of me.

J: I’m that you like what I do. When I first started I wrote a children’s book, which is really a YA, but I didn’t know that back then, and at the same time I was taking an ancient medival course so I decided to get a knight redy to go into battle, and I dressed him, then I though well his all dressed what now. And that is how I wrote that first book, and then I put them both on a shelf until I met an agent, and she called about the YA which is what she told me it was, and asked if I had anything else, and I told her I had a love story, but there is a catch it takes place in 1086, and she said well that is a historical. I told her later that I though she was probably thinking DORK..

But not knowing anything I was lucky in that she sold them both.

H: Was that The Prize or Honour’s Splendor?

J: It was Gentle Warrior

H: Is that one with Geoffory and Elizabeth?

J: Yes

H: I haven’t read that book in awhile, I love that book. But I gotta tell you I love the Prize.

J: It is so cool to me that everyone has their book. I always wonder about some author who everyone has that one book and it is their first book. If that happens that’s not good. They never get any better. The Prize was fun to do.

H: She was just a kick but heroine. I think for me for you every time I pick up one of your books I fall in love all over again. I don’t think I could pin point a favorite, I love them all. There are scenes in every single book…in fact my sister and I were talking about this the other night, she said I have the strangest brain I can remember all these characters and plots, but what I think I really like about your books is that I get something new every time. It is like discovering a new author all over again.

J: That is so nice

H: I love them all equally is what I am trying to say.

J: When I was writing Heartbreaker, I tried making it a historical by the way, I had this idea for this book,  I couldn’t get the story I wanted to tell in a historical setting so I broke down and wrote a contemporary, and well that is the Buchannon’s, if you told one brother than you had to tell the other’s. I come from a big family and the only you can understand is to bei there, with everyone being loud and talking over you.

That is what I did with the Ideal Man, he is one of seven.

H: Can I just tell you one of my favorite lines from that book is “let me talk to my white brother”.  The reason is I tell my oldest son all the time that he might be black but he has a white mama. And I was just like OMG, and then at the end when he is pacing in front of the elevator talking to himself about her and what was going to happen and how she could just deal with it.

I went your last name doesn’t match but you could so be the descendant of Ian or Brodrick but we already know who their descendants are.

J: Some guys are not real flowery

H: I thought though that Max and Ellie are the perfect match for each other. I really enjoyed it. In fact I didn’t even miss Noah who is my favorite of your FBI characters. In fact I think I even said it in my fan letter that when I finished reading the Heartbreaker I went is he a relative of Cole.

J: I love bringing them back, in fact in Sizzle I did it again, and took them back to Scotland.

H: I know, I was reading it and not even putting it together and then at the end I gasped and went NO WAY.

Noah is one of my favorite of your characters. The Claybournes are one of my favaorite families of yours. I do have to tell you that I saw the movie For the Roses, and I was so mad at that I threw my book at the tv.

J: Keep in mind, I had nothing to do with that movie. I didn’t write it I wrote the book

H: That is what my mom said..I saw the movie after Cole’s book came out.

J: I was one of the very first romances that Hallmark purchased, I was very proud of the fact. but I had no approval over anything because you sell the rights. No one was more surprised than I was. In fact I remember thinking uh oh, I knew I was going to hear about it, and I did. I got a lot of how could you, and I had to say I didn’t.

H: I think since then authors get to keep more control.

J: I think so

We talked movies for a bit longer, about how she would love to have HBO or Showtime make her FBI series a show so long as she could have some say.

H: Who would you cast as Nick and Noah and Dr Morganstern?

Morganstern is one of my favorites, he would have to be short with thick glasses. The interesting thing about these is these guys never age. When you write them they are 28 – 30 and five books later they are the still 28-30 years old. I am going to have think about it. Who would you cast.

H: For Morganstern I would cast the guy that played opposite Meryll Streep in Julia Julie

J: He’s fabulous.

H: For Nick and Noah I have no clue

J: Talk dark and handsome that is a hard one.

There is so much more to this interview that I couldn’t put all in one post so come back next Monday for the rest of the conversation as that is what it turned out to be.

 

Posted in Interviews

Tagged ,

Fan Letter Blog Crawl

Posted on June 10, 2011 by TBRG| 10 Comments

I have known about this for almost a month but I haven’t been able to decide which author I wanted to write this letter to..there are so many to choose from, so many that have had an impact in my life in some way. I finally settled on one, and the one that I choose may come as a surprise to some, but this is who I am writing to. After reading two of the letters that have already been written I have to say that I am glad I decided on who I did as two of the authors that I was thinking about have already been written.

Dear Julie Garwood,

Words cannot express how much your books have come to mean to me over the years. I started reading you when I was in high school and your Pagan Series had come out. How I loved that series, and the lengths that people would go to protect those that they loved. Then I read The Secret, I can’t tell you how many dreams I had as a teen-ager dreaming that I was Judith and that Iain was my man. With each book you wrote you swept me away on a journey of love and discovery. For each of your books was a book of discovery, of discovering just how strong the heroine could be, how the men that loved them would help them become who they were suppose to be. I wanted to be one of your heroines. I cheered when Johanna confronted her abusive ex-husband, and when Taylor shot the rabbit in frustration over Lucas’s behavior. And who can forget Brodrick and Ramsey and the women that finally felled them. Jaime and Alec, I have enjoyed them so much that it is time to get a new book (or so my sister that just returned it says)

Then there was the Clayborne’s a family that had made themselves a family from nothing. Of all the books that you have written this series is the one that is the closest to my heart. I fell in love with Cole Clayborne in For the Roses and a little bit more with each book about his brothers, and then there was his book Come the Spring, that moment when he had to shoot and risk hitting Jessie was priceless. I have read my copy so many times that is in need of repair.

When you started writing your contemporaries I was sadden as I love your historicals so much, but then I noticed something… the last names of your characters. Was it a coincidence that the FBI families last name was Buchanan and they were of Scottish descent, and then there was Noah Clayborne the partner, who had a great-grandfather that was a US Marshall and from Montana originally. I remember getting the email response from you when I emailed to ask if these were the descendants of your beloved historicals telling me that yes they were and I was the first person to ask you that. Noah and Jordan and Kate and Dylan I think are my two favorite of the Buchanan’s. The way that they came together was great to watch. The moment when Jordan’s dad saw how much she meant to Noah is one of my favorite moments of all your books. I loved how in the end of Sizzle we find out who Sam is a descendant of (his last name should be a clue) and that he loves to play rugby (my families sport of choice).

With each of your books I have been swept away to the Highland’s of Scotland, the Wild West, Regency England and into the world of the FBI and loved every minute of it.

When I pick up one of your books I know that I will be in for an amazing adventure, and feel like I have just been reunited with friends that I haven’t seen in a long time.

Thank you so much for sharing your stories with us, and introducing us to amazing heroines and hero’s and their journey to love and happily ever after.

Heather

Don’t forget to check out yesterday’s letter from Kati to Nalini Singh and check in tomorrow at Jenre-WellRead to see who they wrote to..

 

Posted in fun

Tagged , ,

Historical

Posted on September 2, 2010 by TBRG| 9 Comments

Today we will discuss my favorite genre, Historicals.  These are my go to books when I am stressed out or just need to escape to somewhere else I reach over and grab a good historical.  I love how I can experience another time and place for a little while, without leaving the comforts of now.  I am also grateful to these authors for doing such great research and trying to make things as accurate as possible, I have learned a lot from reading their books.   Some of my favorite historical authors are: Julia Quinn, Lisa Kleypas, Anna Campbell, Brenda Joyce, Julie Garwood.

The very first romance bookthat  Heather ever read that wasn’t a harlequin was a historical that took place in Wyoming, it was Johanna Lindsey’s Brave the Wild Wind, from the moment she read this she was hooked.  She would hide the books behind her school books and read Johanna Lindsey instead of schoolwork.  To this day this genre is one of her favorites and some of her favorite authors are Stephanie Laurens, Johanna Lindsey, Julia Quinn, Elizabeth Hoyt and Julie Garwood.  There is nothing better than picking up a book and being transported into the past. She even used some of the history she learned in historical romances to help her write a paper in one of her anthropolgy classes and got an A on it.

What are some of your favorite historicals and do you have a favorite time period or place that you love to read about?

One commenter will win some fabulous books

Now some more of our author answers:

Anna Campbell:   http://www.annacampbell.info/ A great historical sweeps me away into a world of romance like nothing else so when I’ve got spare time, I tend to read the competition (LOL!). I love to read in bed, especially when it’s raining outside!

Alexandra Hawkins:  http://www.alexandrahawkins.com/ No contest–Romance. I read all sub-genres. Where do I like to read? The sofa in my family room reclines so it’s a comfy place to read.

Sarah MacLean: http://www.macleanspace.com I love historicals, but when I’m just trying to get away from work, I love contemporaries. Susan Elizabeth Phillips, Rachel Gibson, Kristan Higgins, and when I run out of them, I’m always down for the One Click packs for Kindle from Harlequin! As for the where, anywhere my dog is curled up is always a first choice.

Stephanie Laurens: http://www.stephanielaurens.com/         I read a lot of different genre fiction. Always genre, but it could be crime/mystery, fantasy or romance. I read in bed, pretty much every single night. I have a silk-covered, silk-fiber filled comforter, European pillows to prop myself up with, and my cats always come to sit with me–one on my stomach, the other between my calves. As far as they’re concerned, that’s how it has to be

Tagged , , , , , , , , , ,

Contemporaries

Posted on September 1, 2010 by TBRG| 12 Comments

First off let me welcome you to our new site we hope you enjoy it and will find lots of good information along the way.

So Heather and I have been discussing what we enjoy about contemporary books.

I personally love the books where I relate to the characters and it does not hurt to have some humor in them. But catch me in the right frame of mind and I love those FBI/Crime type books.  Some of my go to authors are: Carly Phillips, Susan Mallery, Erin Nicholas, Catherine Coulter (love the FBI series) and Kristin Higgins.

Heather likes to relate to either the character or story of the book and loves when she feels that she is with a long lost friend.  Of course she loves Nora (who doesn’t) and I am supposed to tell Kim that she is ready to have all her Nora books back.  She also enjoys Julia James, Carly Phillips, Christina Dodd, Sandra Hill, Julie Garwood.

I am sure we can both go on and on because there are so many to choose from but we will leave that up for your discussion.

One Commenter today will win – wait for it – books of course

We also asked a few of our favorite authors what their go to books or authors are right now and where do they go to relax and read.  Their responses will be posted over the next few days

Carly Phillips:   http://www.carlyphillips.com/ A few months ago I would have said I’m a true contemporary reader. Only. That’s still the case … without the only! I’ve recently strayed into a genre I never thought would hold any interest for me – paranormal.  It’s been a fantastic break from my normal reading and when I’ve devoured my contemporary authors and am waiting for a new release.  As for which authors, in contemporary – my fellow Plotmonkeys, Leslie Kelly aka Leslie Parrish, Julie Leto, and Janelle Denison … and also Toni Blake, Erin McCarthy’s racecar series, Victoria Dahl, Jill Shalvis, Rachel Gibson.  And now in my new paranormal phase, I’m devouring Nalini Singh, Meaghan Hatfield, Larissa Ione.  As for where? On my Kindle … wherever I can.  In bed usually since reading is a treat for when I can relax but in my car while waiting for the kids works too!

Erin Nicholas: http://www.erinnicholas.com/ I almost always go for contemporaries first, though I have favorites in historical, erotic, and paranormal too. I have a few go-to authors who always deliver for me but the two that first come to mind are Erin McCarthy and Susan Andersen. I have a big chair by my picture window that I love to curl up in with my Kindle! :)

Posted in Contemporary

Tagged , , , , , ,

The Bride

Posted on April 19, 2010 by TBRG| 5 Comments


The Bride

Julie Garwood

FromNew York Times bestselling author Julie Garwood, whose novels have enchanted millions of readers worldwide, comes a breathtakingly romantic novel about a mismatched young wife and husband who, despite their differences in background and temperament, fall inexorably in love. Available in hardcover for the first time, with a new introduction from Julie Garwood that explains her inspiration for this timeless love story,The Bride sweeps readers back to the savage beauty of medieval Scotland….

By the king’s edict, Alec Kincaid, mightiest of the Scottish lairds, must take an English bride. And Jaime the youngest daughter of Baron Jamison, is his choice. From his first glimpse of the proud and beautiful English lady, Alec felt a burning hunger stir within him. This was a woman worthy of his fearless warrior’s spirit. And he aches to touch her, tameher, possess her…forever.But with the wedding vows, Jamie pledges her own secret oath: She will never surrender her love to this Highland barbarian.

He was everything her heart warned her against — an arrogant, brooding scoundrel whose rough good looks and seductive embrace fire her blood. But when strange accidents begin to threaten Jamie’s life and an old rumor that Alec killed his first wife spreads anew, something far more dangerous than desire threatens to conquer he senses.With all the storytelling power and insight into the human heart that have made her one of the bestselling authors of our time, Julie Garwood takes readers on an unforgettable romantic journey rich in humor, suspense, and historical detail.

When I decided to do a Julie Garwood month I knew that one of the books that I would most definitely be reading was this one. It is one that I have read so many times I really need a new copy of it.
When their Kings order them to marry, neither one is happy about it. Alec takes one look at Jamie and knows that she is the sister that he will be marrying no matter how much her father doesn’t want him to, however he has no choice as the King has said that he will be able to choose his bride from the sisters.

Jamie so doesn’t want the marriage that she wears black to the wedding, hoping that it will make Alec change his mind. It doesn’t in fact it has the exact opposite effect, it intrigues him more.

The interactions of these two once they get back to Scotland are great. You never know what is going to happen next. One of my favorite parts is when Alec decides to tell Jamie that he loves her, and the way that he tells her, knowing that she won’t be able to react without giving away her secret.

I loved the ending of one chapter where one of them thought that she was settling into her life very well, and the next chapter starts with the opening “She started three wars the first week”
This is one of those rare books where all you want is dialogue and reaction because it is so great. This book is in my top five of favorite Julie Garwood books. I love Alec and Jamie and loved being able to see them again in the book The Wedding, and their descendant Sam in the book Sizzle where he is the hero.

I give this book a 4.75 out of 5

siggy

Tagged , ,

The Secret

Posted on April 12, 2010 by TBRG| 4 Comments
The Secret

Julie Garwood

Judith Hampton was as beautiful as she was proud and loyal. Her dear Scottish friend from childhood was about to give birth, and Judith had promised to be at her side. But there was another, private reason for the journey from her bleak English home to the Highlands: to meet the father she had never known, the Laird Maclean. Nothing prepared her, however, for the sight of the Scottish barbarian who was to escort her into his land . . .

Iain Maitland, Laird of his clan, a man more powerfully compelling than any she had ever encountered.In a spirited clash of wills and customs, Judith reveled in the melting bliss of Iain’s searching kisses, his passionate caresses. Perplexed by her sprightly defiance, bemused by her tender nature, Iain felt his soul growing into the light and warmth of her love. Surely nothing would wrench her from the affection and trust of Iain and his clan . . . not even the truth about her father, a devastating secret that could shatter the boldest alliance, and the most glorious of loves!

REVIEW: If I had to pick a book to go in my top 10 of favorite romance stories and movies this would most definitely be in it. I love everything about it.

This is one of those classic romance stories that has it all, great characters, an amazing plot that covers everything from friendship to fear of change, to injustice, to prejudice, great chemistry between the main characters, thrown in a feud in medieval Scotland, and a great big twist and this is one book that you will keep coming back to. 

Judith will let nothing stand in the way of being there for her best friend when she has her first baby. What she never expected to find was a home, a place for her. She never planned on finding someone like Iain.

When Iain goes to England to keep a promise to his brother he never expected to find Judith. He knows from the minute that he sees her that she is going to be trouble, he just never expected it be the kind that changes his life.

Watching these two fall in love is great. The banter between them is amazing. Some of the best parts of this book was the dialogue between all the characters.

You are probably wanting more about these characters in this review, but trust me when I say that you want to discover all the Secrets of this book on your own and not have me tell you about them. 

I give this book a 5 out of 5, yes it is that good.

siggy

Tagged , ,

The Prize

Posted on April 7, 2010 by TBRG| 5 Comments
The Prize

Julie Garwood

In the resplendence of William the Conqueror’s London court, the lovely Saxon captive Nicholaa was forced to choose a husband from the assembled Norman nobles. She chose Royce, a baron warrior whose fierce demeanor could not conceal his chivalrous and tender heart. Resourceful, rebellious, and utterly naive, Nicholaa vowed to bend Royce to her will, despite the whirlwind of feelings he aroused in her. Ferocious in battle, seasoned in passion, Royce was surprised by the depth of his emotion whenever he caressed his charming bride.

In a climate of utmost treachery, where Saxons still intrigued against their Norman invaders, Royce and Nicholaa reveled in their precious new love…a fervent bond soon to be disrupted by the call of blood, kin, and country!

REVIEW: If I had to name my top five books by Julie this one would definitely be in it. I think this was one of the very first books by her that I ever read. When I knew that Julie would be the spotlight author I knew that this would be the very first re-read that I did.

Nicholaa is a woman that will do anything to protect her home and her family, especially now that there is a new king on the throne. She has sent packing every soldier that the King has sent to bring her to court, all except Royce.

Royce is the King’s favorite Baron and a stick in the mud about certain things, but he does it in a way that won’t crush Nicholaa’s spirit.

This book has it all, a great romance, a conflict that makes perfect sense for the time period, sexual tension, humor. In my opinion this book defines great romance.

I enjoyed watching these two fall in love and work out their differences. They came from two different cultures, he’s Norman and she’s Saxon. The Saxon King is dead and the new King is Norman. He wants her to bend to his will, and she wants him to bend to her will.

One of my favorite scene’s is when they finally admit their love to each other, even though they both know that they love the other, they other has no clue.

If you have never read a Julie Garwood book I suggest that you start with this one.

I give this a 4.75 out of 5
siggy

Tagged ,

Interview with author Julie Garwwod

Posted on April 4, 2010 by TBRG| 5 Comments
Several months ago I asked Julie if she would be willing to do an interview with me for this blog. She very graciously said yes, however between her schedule and mine we weren’t able to get it down until now. I hope that you enjoy reading this as much as I did. Don’t forget to leave a comment so that you can be entered to win two of Julie’s books.

1.As an avid reader and language and literature teacher I have my literary gods and goddesses, you being one of them, so I have to ask who are you literary hero’s or gods and goddesses?

When I was growing up, I fell in love with writers who could grab my attention. I loved Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird. It’s the book I recommend most to young readers. I also enjoyed O. Henry’s stories because of the way he could surprise you at the end. Another favorite was John Steinbeck. He could evoke such strong reactions. I remember reading a passage about the dust bowl in The Grapes of Wrath and having to stop long enough to get a drink of water. I think it was then that I realized the power of writing.

2. When you are relaxing with a good book, who are some of your favorite authors and books to read?

I love a good romance, but there are so many friends who are amazing romance writers, I hesitate to single any of them out. I also enjoy a suspenseful mystery. I was lucky to be a judge for the Mystery Writers of America Edgar Award last year, which gave me the opportunity to read some wonderful novels by authors like David Ignatius and John Hart and Daniel Silva.

3. What is one thing that your fans would be shocked to learn?

I’m a compulsive baker when I’m beginning a book. There’s something about the activity of baking that helps me clear my thoughts and concentrate on my story. If anyone in my family walks into my house and smells fresh-baked cookies, they immediately know I’ve been plotting.

4. In our families emergency packs we each have between 5-10 books, what books would you put in your emergency pack?

I’d take the complete works of Shakespeare. Every so often I’ll open one of his plays and just read a few lines and be awestruck at what he could do with words, so I’d probably want to look at them periodically. I’d also include To Kill a Mockingbird and Grapes of Wrath. Then I’d grab one of the many books stacked on my shelf that I haven’t had time to read yet, something that’s a current bestseller so I can keep up with the times. I’d definitely take a dictionary and a thesaurus. Finally, I’d take whatever book I’m writing at the time. Even in an emergency, I’d most likely want to keep working.

5. If any of your books were to be made in a major motion picture which would you want to see made, and who would play the hero and heroine?

The one I’m asked about most is Mercy. I think it would make a really fun movie. How about Gerard Butler or Ryan Reynolds as Theo? I don’t know about Michelle. Natalie Portman might be convincing as a doctor.

6. In your FBI series we have seen the descendants of Cole Claybourne, Brodrick and Gillian Buchannan, and Alec and Jamie Kincaid, are there any others we have missed? and who can we see in the future?

I’m sure there will be more. When I finish a book, I find it difficult to say good-bye to the characters, so I’m always looking for ways to bring them back in another story. I can’t bring the characters from the historicals back, but the way I’ve gotten around that is to introduce their descendants. So far, I’m relieved to know that my readers like them.

7. If you could travel to any time period where would you go?

No question. The Middle Ages. Ever since my college days studying medieval history, I’ve been fascinated by that period. I’d especially like to see the Highlands of Scotland. The Scottish clans were remarkable in that they were primitive and barbaric, but at the same time they developed a relatively structured society. It would be great to see them firsthand. I probably wouldn’t want to stay long, though. I doubt I’d like the living conditions.

8. What is your secret indulgence?

Reality TV. I have to admit I like the competitions – the dancing, the singing, the designing.

siggy

Tagged , ,